High Protein Vegan Recipes (2024)

Looking for vegan and plant-based recipes that have plenty of protein? This roundup features over 25 High Protein Vegan Recipes that are easy to make and incredibly delicious. There’s something for everyone, from soups and chilis to air fryer tofu and tempeh tacos. Each recipe is packed with nutrients, super satisfying and offers over 15 to 20 grams of plant-based protein per serving.

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Why is protein important?

Whether you eat a vegan diet or not, protein is essential for everyone. Because vegans and vegetarians don’t consume any animal protein, which is considered “complete protein” (includes all essential amino acids) and few plant-based sources are complete proteins, it’s extra important to make sure you’re getting enough protein.

Proteins are the main building blocks of your body. They’re used to make muscles, tendons, organs, and skin, as well as enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and various molecules that serve many important functions. Proteinis necessary to maintain and repair tissues. It’s also important for many body functions and can help with weight maintenance.

The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight.

This amounts to:

  • 56–91 grams per day for the average male
  • 46–75 grams per day for the average female

Getting enough protein on a vegan diet is actually not as difficult as you might think, especially with these tasty high protein vegan recipes. If you don’t have much time to cook during the week, you can easily meal prep most of these protein-packed vegan meals. This list includes some of my all-time favorite recipes. Enjoy!

High Protein Vegan Recipes

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (2)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (3)

Chilis:

Lentil Chili. This chili recipe is a hearty and healthy plant-based dish filled with lentils, beans, tomatoes, and plenty of delicious spices! An easy one pot dinner option that the whole family will love!

Tempeh Chili. This chili recipe is easy to make, comes together in one pot and makes for AMAZING leftovers!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (4)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (5)

Soups:

Black Bean Soup. Smoky, slightly spicy Black Bean Soupis easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes and SO very delicious!

Taco Soup. This soup recipe is a healthy mix of onion, bell pepper, fire roasted tomatoes, three types of beans and seasonings, all simmered to perfection. An easy, flavorful dinner option that’s quick to make and is bound to become a new family favorite!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (6)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (7)

Split Pea Soup. Packed with nourishing vegetables and full of flavor and comfort, this vegan split pea soup is going to be your new favorite winter recipe!An easy one pot dinner option that the whole family will love!

Vegan Lentil Soup. Looking for the ULTIMATE comforting and filling winter meal!? I’ve got you covered with this hearty lentil soup recipethat’s SOUPer easy to make and filled with a handful whole-food ingredients. You’re going to love this for weeknight dinners AND meal-prep lunches!

Crockpot Taco Soup. We’ve been making a version of this slow cooker taco soup for YEARS and I love it so much. It’s great for quick and easy meals and can even be used on tacos with less liquid added it!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (8)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (9)

Basic Main Dishes:

How to Make Seitan. Making Seitan at home is SO simple and makes for a delicious and versatile meat substitute! It’s high in protein and can be used in so many delicious dishes.

Air Fryer Tofu. Have you tried making tofu in the air fryer yet!? It’s so simple (plus I have lots of delicious marinade options for you!). I’m officially obsessed and this is definitely my new go-to way of cooking my tofu.

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (10)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (11)

Grilled Tofu. Looking for a vegan grilling recipe that’s packed with protein AND easily grillable? I got you! This grilled tofuis perfect for summer grilling season and surprisingly easy to throw together.

Easy Tofu Scramble. This Easy Tofu Scramble is quick to throw together and such a fun and delicious breakfast for the tofu lovers of the world!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (12)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (13)

Chickpea Recipes:

Peanut Chickpea Wraps. These Peanut Chickpea Wraps come together in just TEN minutes and are great as a healthy vegan meal prep recipe! They’re simple to make and so delicious!

Curried Chickpea Salad. This Curried Chickpea Salad Sandwich is fully vegan and comes together all in ONE BOWL and with just a handful of simple ingredients! It’s sure to be your new favorite meal prep recipe.

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (14)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (15)

Tofu Recipes:

Tofu Fried Rice. Flavorful, veganTofuFried Rice can be ready in 30 minutes or less! It’s easy to make, packed with veggies, loaded with perfectly cooked tofu, and coated with a delicious, yet simple sauce. The perfect plant-based cozy dinner or lunch!

Kung Pao Tofu. This Kung Pao Tofu is a blend of tofu, bell peppers, chilies, greenonions and peanuts, all in a savory and spicy sauce. A vegan remake of the take out classic that’s even better than the restaurant version!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (16)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (17)

BBQ Tofu Bowls. Looking for a comforting and FILLING recipe that’s packed with protein and fully vegan?? Look no further that these BBQ Tofu Bowls! They’re simple to make and so ridiculously delicious.

Tofu Coconut Curry. We LOVE curries in our house and this Tofu Coconut Curry is my absolute favorite on the blog! It’s simple to make, great for leftovers, and just overall SO DELICIOUS!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (18)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (19)

Orange Tofu. This Orange Tofu is a Panda Express copycat recipe with a vegan twist! Instead of crispy chicken, we’re using tofu that is tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. My version tastes just as good as the restaurant version and is so convenient to make at home! You’re sure to love this quick and easy orange tofu recipe that’s perfect for make-ahead lunches or busy weeknight dinners.

Sesame Tofu Bowls. These Sesame Tofu Bowls are an easy and DELICIOUS alternative to sesame chicken (which was always my favorite growing up!). You can make the tofu on its own OR make an entire meal out of it by paring it with a grain and some veggies. A great weeknight dinner and meal prep option.

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (20)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (21)

Cashew Tofu Stir Fry. You know how much I love a good tofu stir fry so I wanted to make a Cashew Stir Fry version of it and it’s SO GOOD! This is great for meal prep and I’m excited for you to try it!

Sheet Pan Baked Tofu Veggies. This easy sheet pan dinner is simple to throw together and a great vegan dinner!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (22)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (23)

Tempeh Recipes:

Sesame Ginger Tempeh Stir Fry. This Sesame Ginger Tempeh Stir Fry Recipe is one of the most popular recipes on my blog! It’s an easy vegan stir fry that’s simple to make and SO DELICIOUS! Even my meat loving husband enjoys this dish!

Smoked Tempeh Bowls. If you’re new to tempeh (or have been cooking it forever), then these Smoked Tempeh Bowls are perfect for you! Its super easy to throw together and packed with so much flavor. You can use whatever veggies you want as a side and serve with quinoa, brown rice, or whatever other grain you WISH!

Tempeh Taco Meat. These Tempeh Tacos are filled with crumbled tempeh that is deliciously spiced and made so flavorful with a DIY homemade taco seasoning. The tempeh taco “meat” is super easy to cook up and can be ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes. Add your favorite taco toppings and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a meatless taco night that the whole family will love!

  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (24)
  • High Protein Vegan Recipes (25)

Others:

Copycat Chipotle Sofritas Recipe. Looking to make Chipotle Sofritas right in the comfort of your own home? THIS recipe is going to blow your mind! It’s super easy to make with simple ingredients and comes together in no time. Pair it with some cilantro lime rice, black beans, and a good portion of guacamole and you’re SET.

Spicy Tofu Burritos. These Spicy Tofu Burritos are simple to make, easily adjustable to suite your taste, and great for easy weeknight meals and meal-prep! I love to keep a big batch of these in my freezer to throw in the oven for super lazy (and healthy!) meals. The sofritas in the burritos gives them so much flavor and I know you’re going to love these!

Coconut Lentil Curry with Coconut Rice. This vegan curry is simple to make and comes together in no time! The curry can all be made in one large pot and it’s a dish that everyone will love! Comforting and delicious!

High Protein Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What vegan food has the highest amount of protein? ›

20 best vegan protein sources chart
FoodServing (g)Protein (g)
1. Tempeh10020.3
2. Seitan10017.9
3. Edamame12017.2
4. Tofu160 (half block)16.3
16 more rows

How can vegans get 120g of protein a day? ›

One of the easiest plant-based high protein swaps is to replace your usual pasta with red lentil pasta. It's made from protein-rich red lentil flour, and I like to make a vegan bolognese with it. Adding soy mince is a game-changer too when you're struggling to eat enough protein.

How to get 100 grams of protein on vegan diet? ›

100 grams of vegan protein
  1. ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams of protein)
  2. One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  3. 1 ounce of nuts (5 grams)
  4. Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  5. Two tablespoons of chia seeds (about 10 grams)
  6. One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  7. Two slices of rye bread (10 grams)
3 days ago

How can you get enough protein as a vegan? ›

High-protein vegan foods
  1. Quinoa. ...
  2. Pulses. ...
  3. Tofu. ...
  4. Nuts and seeds. ...
  5. Chia seeds. ...
  6. Buckwheat. ...
  7. Oats. ...
  8. Brown and wild rice.
Apr 5, 2023

How to get 40g protein a day vegan? ›

The best plant sources of protein include pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas and soya), nuts, seeds and wholegrains (wholemeal bread, wholewheat pasta and brown rice). One large serving of cooked tofu could provide up to half the protein you need in one day!

How can vegans get 150g protein a day? ›

The easy way for vegans to get enough protein every day
  1. Adding protein powder to your smoothie. ...
  2. Eating a whole-wheat bagel with peanut or almond butter for a snack. ...
  3. Including beans in your pasta dishes (you'll find plenty at our vegan recipes page). ...
  4. Lots of lentils. ...
  5. Hummus on a whole wheat pita for a snack.

Can you eat too much vegan protein? ›

Yes, it is possible to have too much protein powder, even if it is vegan. While protein is an essential nutrient that plays many important roles in the body, excessive consumption of protein can have negative health effects.

What does 30 grams of protein look like for a vegan? ›

Tofu can often be a staple source of protein for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet: 1 1/2 cups of cooked tofu can provide 30 grams of protein along with some healthy fat. Because tofu is made from soybeans, it's considered a complete protein even though it's from plants.

Which nuts are high in protein? ›

Proteins. Nuts are a rich source of proteins and essential amino acids as indicated by the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference [10] and as presented in Table 1. The major sources of proteins are peanuts, almonds, and pistachios, while chestnuts are the poorest in proteins.

What can I eat instead of meat for protein? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  • Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  • Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  • Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Yogurt.

How much protein do we really need vegan? ›

Eat a little more than the recommended amount of protein each day. Vegans and vegetarians should aim to eat 0.9 grams of protein per kilogram of their body weight each day, says Perez. “That slight difference is there to help adjust for differences in terms of the digestibility of a lot of these proteins,” she says.

Which vegetarian food has highest protein per 100g? ›

Whole grains
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Peanuts. ...
  • Chia seeds. Chia seeds are very protein-rich, containing 18.29g per 100g . ...
  • Almonds. Raw, unsalted almonds are another protein-rich food, containing 20.33g per 100g , and 5.76g per ounce.
  • Hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are a good source of protein, with 31.56g per 100g .

Is peanut butter vegan? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

How do vegans get B12? ›

Because vegans avoid all animal-derived products, they may rely on vitamin B-12 fortified foods, such as certain breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast. Plant foods do not produce vitamin B-12, so it is vital that vegans find alternative sources of vitamin B12 to remain in the best health.

What vegan food has more protein than meat? ›

LENTILS.

Much like beans, lentils check some important boxes for herbivores. One cup of cooked lentils has nearly 18g of protein — more than the amount in a hamburger — and also contains a lot of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How can vegans get 140g of protein a day? ›

10 High Protein Vegan Snack Ideas
  1. Edamame Beans.
  2. Mixed Nuts.
  3. Soy Yoghurt with Fruit and Seeds.
  4. Pint of Soy Milk.
  5. Peanut Butter on Granary Toast.
  6. Hummus with Vegetable Sticks or Rice Cakes.
  7. Homemade Vegan Protein Bars.
  8. Vegan Protein Smoothie (such as Pea+ Protein)
Jan 20, 2023

How can vegans get 200g of protein a day? ›

Vegan Substitutes to Consume 200g Protein a Day
  1. Tofu.
  2. Quinoa.
  3. Chickpeas.
  4. Lentils.
  5. Tempeh.
  6. Seitan.
  7. Beans such as black beans and kidney beans.
  8. Plant-based protein powders such as pea protein and soy protein powders.
Dec 6, 2023

What vegan foods are highest in protein per 100g? ›

Vegan sources of protein
  • Tempeh - 19g of protein per 100g.
  • Edamame - 11g of protein per 100g.
  • Oats - 11g of protein per 100g.
  • Tofu - 8g of protein per 100g.
  • Red lentils - 7g of protein per 100g.
  • Chickpeas - 6.7g of protein per 100g.
  • Peas - 5g of protein per 100g.
  • Quinoa - 4.3g of protein per 100g.
Nov 22, 2023

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